Just a few days ago, I received an order from Cigar.com which included 5 of the new cigars that were introduced just a couple months ago in New Orleans, and the Padilla Dominus was one of them. It came in a robusto format.

Upon receiving the package, the cigar I was most interested in was the new Padilla. Until receiving October's catalog, I hadn't even heard about this cigar, but it's a nice addition to the Padilla lineup.

The cigar is a true robusto coming in at exactly 5x50, with a beautiful, very oily, medium chocolate wrap. The cigar has some heft to it, being filled perfectly, and solid, no spongy feel to it.

The pre-light exhibited a nice mature tobacco smell with a touch of sweetness. Upon lighting, immediately it began giving off tons of spicy smoke, with the burn and draw starting off perfectly, with very little effort on my part.

The aroma filling the room was sweet and spicy, reminding me of the Pepin made Miami 8/11s. In fact, through the first 1/3,spice dominated the cigar, with pepper on the nose. I can tell this is going to be a great cigar experience. Still in the first 1/3 the cigar is burning razor sharp, with the cigar beginning to exhibit some earthiness, however, spice and a touch of sweetness remain. This is a very complex blend as are all his blends.

Into the middle of the cigar now, I'm purposely smoking it slowly, and the burn and draw are still perfect. The ash which fell after about an inch, is medium gray with some black speckles mixed in. Sweetness persists with the spiciness starting to fade and earthiness along with the sweetness dominate in flavor and aroma. It's not a full-bodied smoke like the '32, but more medium and smooth like the Miami. Wow, what a perfectly constructed cigar, all elements are balanced.

Approaching the final 1/3 now and all sweetness has faded with a mature tobacco flavor and earthiness dominate. Burn and draw are still perfect. However, the cigar is starting to bore me a little, it's become one dimensional, unlike the original Miami which was much more complex as the cigar smoked down. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good cigar, but not as flavorful and intense as the '32 or the Miami.

As I get into the tail end of the cigar, nothing has changed, earthiness dominates and I fear the cigar has given me all it's got in terms of flavor. Too bad, it started off with such promise. I like earthy Nicaraguans, but I prefer spice and some sweetness to go along with it, making the cigar much more complex, which this one has failed at, except for the first 1/3 of the cigar.

Final comments......perfect constuction, good start, but all flavor elements faded to tobacco and earth, not bad, just not great. However, there is still just a touch of spice, just enough to keep me smoking. All in all, a good cigar, but not a great one. Can't see me spending the coin on a box either, but will try a few more just in case. My rating comes in at 88, mostly because of perfect construction, perfect burn and draw. However, except for the first part of the cigar it lacks in the flavor department. Plus as I smoked it down, it became too one dimensional for my taste.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tonito,

Nice review, Tonito. What's the price range for these? Did you get enough to age some for at least a couple months?

I had a '32 the other day that was all bite and no bark; didn't like it at all. When I asked about it, people said they get better after six months and much better after a year or so. Maybe the same for these...? I also like the spicy sweetness flavor; that and leather/cedar are my favorite flavor combos.

nice review. been curious about this one

I'm not sure what the price is for the Padillas "bp". I bought them as part of a sampler of the new cigars that came out at the IPCRC show in New Orleans. Included in the sampler were the Rocky Patel 1961, Oliva Connecticut Reserve, Man-O-War Runination, Nub Maduro and the Padilla. I've smoked them all and liked the Man-O-War Ruination the most. The sampler was $44.95 and included 2 of each. I plan on giving the others away as part of the lotto I'm in, so I don't have a clue where to get more other than the Cigar.com sampler.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

quote:

Originally posted by Tonito:
I'm not sure what the price is for the Padillas "bp". I bought them as part of a sampler of the new cigars that came out at the IPCRC show in New Orleans. Included in the sampler were the Rocky Patel 1961, Oliva Connecticut Reserve, Man-O-War Runination, Nub Maduro and the Padilla. I've smoked them all and liked the Man-O-War Ruination the most. The sampler was $44.95 and included 2 of each. I plan on giving the others away as part of the lotto I'm in, so I don't have a clue where to get more other than the Cigar.com sampler.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

Nice Tonito, how was the 1961--I've heard good and bad on this one...

I've never been a big fan of Rocky's cigars Matt, so my opinion is probably biased. The only cigar of his I really like is the Olde World Reserves. Anyway, the 1961 IMO was nothing special, typical earthy flavors, nic tobacco, maybe some honduran, ecuadoran, but it also kind of bored me as I smoked it down. I don't know what's up with a lot of blends these days, they start out great, then flatten out and get bland as you get to the middle/end of the cigar.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

quote:

Originally posted by Tonito:
I've never been a big fan of Rocky's cigars Matt, so my opinion is probably biased. The only cigar of his I really like is the Olde World Reserves. Anyway, the 1961 IMO was nothing special, typical earthy flavors, nic tobacco, maybe some honduran, ecuadoran, but it also kind of bored me as I smoked it down. I don't know what's up with a lot of blends these days, they start out great, then flatten out and get bland as you get to the middle/end of the cigar.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

Thanks for the headsup, this seems to be what others are saying around forums, nothing special and RP needs to slow down with his releases. I am a huge fan of the '92 and '99 though so I always want to give his offerings a try. I had the Fusion recently and was disappointed.

I'm very curious as to whether any of you have tried the Dominus and what your thoughts are, please speak up !!!



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

I think Dominus has already been relegated to the bargain bin...it was on CI the other night 10 sticks for 30 bucks free shipping...

This does not surprise me "mb", my review of the Dominus was I think "dead on", the cigar started out good, but turned into a dog rocket halfway through. And...I think I was kinda generous with my rating, it should have been more in the 84 range, maybe lower. The only thing that saved it was the perfect construction, draw and burn.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

Just a heads up in case anyone is interested in trying these. "Cigar.com" now has them (singles and boxes) for sale as well as the Cazadores. I'm thinking about buying a couple more in the off chance I had a bad cigar. Padilla cigars have always been good to me, so I can't understand why the Dominus I had was not up to Padilla standards. I like just about everything Ernesto puts out, except the Achilles and the Obsidien, so I'll give him another look and try the Dominus again, just in case.


"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

Ever so slightly off topic:

Took the bait tonight and got these on the way from CI for $30.

2 - Padilla Miami Robusto (5" x 50)
2 - Padilla Series '68 Robusto (5" x 50)
2 - Padilla Signature 1932 Robusto (5" x 50)
2 - Padilla Obsidian Robusto (5" x 50)
2 - Padilla Achilles Robusto (5" x 50)

Bad decision? Any short PRE-Reviews?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TexasLine,

Hey TL, the Obsidians are nasty unless you let them sit for at least a year. No exp. with the Achilles, and the others are pretty good.

Not a bad deal at $3/stick.

The problem with these "deals" is that they always throw the Achilles and the Obsidiens in with the good stuff. My feeling is they couldn't give them away otherwise. The others are all very good to great TL, but do yourself a favor and just "pitch" the Achilles and Obsidien. JMO !!


"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

My Sentiments exactly. I really think he should do himself a favor and drop those 2. I have had them a couple of times and "they suck"

quote:

Originally posted by Tonito:
The problem with these "deals" is that they always throw the Achilles and the Obsidiens in with the good stuff. My feeling is they couldn't give them away otherwise. The others are all very good to great TL, but do yourself a favor and just "pitch" the Achilles and Obsidien. JMO !!


"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

quote:

Originally posted by bpierson:
Hey TL, the Obsidians are nasty unless you let them sit for at least a year.

Then sit they will...while I enjoy the others. Thanks y'all.

Happy Smokin'

quote:

The problem with these "deals" is that they always throw the Achilles and the Obsidiens in with the good stuff. My feeling is they couldn't give them away otherwise. The others are all very good to great TL, but do yourself a favor and just "pitch" the Achilles and Obsidien. JMO !!

Yo! Tonito, how are you? Ernesto Padilla here, I agree with you on the Achilles and Obsidian not my fave but the catalogs sell the hell out of that shiat!- someone out there likes that shiatt - it was design to be cheaper stuff then our regular line (keep that in mind) it's only for CI catalog! so, I let em have it...

Padilla brand's that are true to form, are: Padilla Miami , Padilla 1932, Padilla 68, Padilla 48, Padilla Habano, ( the new great priced Padilla-Cazadores) and the Padilla Dominus which i have several positive emails and "twiters" about!

We will soon be ramping up our new boutique Padilla Miami factory and that will be straight up limited boutique-new blends. These are all Cuban-rollers they finish the cigar from start to finish unlike central-American factories which work in pairs. One roller for example will only do the bunch of the cigar and another roller will put the wrapper on. This allows those factories to make cigars faster! They also work bunch assisted machines. What I wanted was the Ferrari of factories- limited in production with the most experienced rollers and the top-Cuban-seed materials. Come down see this beautiful and unique factory and cigar lounge. 1501 sw 8th st in Miami's historic Little Havana in a building that date's to 1920's.

I hope you guy's keep experimenting with all the Padilla blend's send me an email let me know what you think and when in Miami come see a very unique cigar-experience anywhere!

Thanks again for you comments.

Adios,
Padilla

Hey Ernesto, thanks for weighing in. I actually had an Obsidian awhile back that had been buried in the humidor for a year or so and it was pretty good.

A question about these "house blends": Does CI insist that you put your name on it? Because it seems to me that if you had a separate name for your "value lines", they'd still sell a bunch of them if they were marketed right, but it would kind of reserve your name for the good long-filler stuff.

When trying something new, I have sometimes unknowingly gotten a value cigar with someone's name on it and then made uninformed judgments about their other stuff, and usually not good judgments.

Just a thought.

Ernesto.... it's been a while since we've seen you around here, good to see you're keeping up with our forum.

First of all, let me say that I meant no offense to you or your company with my comments on the Achilles and Obsidien. You also know that from my past threads and postings, I am basically a fanatic for "most" of the cigars you produce. Your new Miamis are I think better than the Pepin blended cigars. While I love both, your new Miami blend speaks for itself with it's 94 rating. The 32's are as good as they always have been, both pre and post Pepin, and your 48's and 68's will always have a place in my humidors. You, along with Pepin and Dion roll all my favorite cigars.

I was a little disappointed with the new Dominus, but hey, I respect your work enough to give them another try and I've already ordered more from "cigar.com", and am waiting to try them again.

I understand your company is in "flux" and starting a new manufacturing facility takes time to get things right. With the execptional product you have put out in the past, I have no doubt you'll be up to speed soon with your new offerings. The Miamis, 32's, 48's and 68's are your bread and butter and they are all as good or better IMO as they have always been.

Good luck, and the next time I'm in "Little Havana", I'll come by and check out your new operation which I hear is great, and look forward to meeting you personally.



"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

Thank's,for your questions.

Well "value lines" are just that. I say smoke less, smoke better your taste buds will thank you! If you like an ok cigar the Obsidian and Achilles will do it ( especially) at the price point and like I said it's just a house-brand for CI-im not a huge fan. But because of it's large-sales volume it does allow me to make and offer the good, good-shiatt!

The Dominus is a weird ballsy cigar-it has a refined strength or body to it. It's a new Cuban-seed strain grown in Nicaragua. I enjoyed it, so I made it! So far it's been very positive. The new Cazadores is a solid $5 dollar cigar all long-filler Cuban-nica with mounted-head construction and solid blend ment to be a "every-day cigar".

In the new factory i'm working on a nice Maduro I also have some different thing's I have wanted to try and this unique factory allows me this luxury.

I'm glad you enjoyed the majority of our cigars and I welcome your opinion's good and bad. It seem's like in a time when our industry is more interested in finding the next "trend", I just like try to make mostly traditional F*#@ing cigars! So, amigos stow-away your painted wrapper's and your shaggy-foot pig-tailed-barber-pole smokes with cigar-Vintage's from the Clinton era-humm!

Smoke cigar's and visit Miami bastard's, there's worst place's to be!

Adios, Padilla